Conceptual design of buildings

As the starting point for any engineering project, mastering conceptual design means you'll understand how to work from a client brief, produce viable structural solutions, and test the feasibility of your ideas. You'll identify and solve major problems before you embark on a detailed design, and learn the skills to work with clients and colleagues from all disciplines. Drawing on the expertise of seven engineering/teaching professionals, and led by the University of Bristol's Dr James Norman, this book sets out to develop students' and graduates' understanding of the process - providing inspiration for the Institution's IPD core objective on conceptual design. Topics covered include: generating and communicating ideas through sketching and writing, preparing the brief, the concept design process itself, consideration of site constraints and ground conditions, developing a structural scheme, understanding robustness and stability, sizing of elements, and what to produce at the end of the process. It also includes worked examples.

Table of Contents:
Notation Foreword The authors Acknowledgements Introduction How to have ideas Sketching Communication Developing the brief - "You want me to design what?" Questions we must ask Geotechnical decisions Developing a concept Stability, robustness and movement joints Concept design calculations Practical examples of three generic building types - with two potential solutions for each What to produce at the end of the conceptual design process References

About the Author :
James Norman - University of Bristol James has 12 years design experience working for Ramboll and Integral Engineering Design. He has nine years' academic experience, including a PhD at the University of Bristol. He has designed buildings out of mud, timber, steel and lots and lots of concrete, and worked for a year on the facade of the extension to the Tate Modern. James authored Structural timber elements: a pre-scheme design guide and is Associate Professor of Sustainable Design. Oliver Broadbent - Constructivist Ltd Oliver is Founder of Constructivist Ltd, and specialises in helping engineers develop their creativity. He is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Imperial College and hosts Eiffel Over, a podcast about engineering, creativity and practical philosophy. Jon Carr - University of Sheffield and Jon Carr Structural Design Jon is a Senior University Teacher in Structural Design at the University of Sheffield, as well as running Jon Carr Structural Design, as a sole practitioner. Jon previously worked for Anthony Hunt Associates from 1988 to 2010, specialising in education and sports and leisure sector projects. His notable projects include the KCOM Stadium in Hull and, at the other end of the scale, the 'Hen House' in Sheffield. Rachael De'Ath - University of Bristol and Arup Rachael has more than 16 years' design experience working for Arup, and has recently joined the University of Bristol to teach design, alongside her work in industry. She prefers working on re-use projects, where the existing structure is creatively re-imagined into something new. She was named as one of the Women's Engineering Society 'Top 50 female engineers' in 2018. Richard Harpin - University of Sheffield Richard is a University Teacher in Structural Design at the University of Sheffield. He was previously a Lecturer in Structural Engineering and Architecture at Nottingham Trent University and, before this, spent 16 years working for Arup. Significant projects include Citibank European Headquarters at Canary Wharf, Pallant House Gallery in Chichester and the School of Theatre, Film and Television at the University of York. Gavin Knowles - University of Bath Gavin studied Civil Engineering at Oxford Brookes University and graduated in 2001. Since working in practice he gained his professional chartership with the Institution of Structural Engineers. He was an Associate with Bath-based engineering firm Integral Engineering Design, and is now a full-time lecturer at the University of Bath. Gavin's previous projects include many education and office buildings, along with conservation and refurbishment projects, interweaved with diverse structures, such as rammed chalk-walled houses, recycled material stages at WOMAD Festival and the odd sculpture. Isobel Lloyd - University of Bristol Isobel has 20 years' design experience with BuroHappold, Atkins and Mott MacDonald, mostly in the UK but also in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong. She has six years' experience of working for various contractors including ground investigation companies, and has spent eight years in academia. Significant projects include the Globe Theatre, Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, Valentine Bridge in Bristol, Extension to British Library and many school buildings.